How to Replace A Kitchen Sink Strainer

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Today we will be showing you how to replace a kitchen sink strainer or basket. As you can see this one is missing most of the chrome finish on the inside and they have also lost the stopper.

So we went with a chrome stainless steel strainer with the snap-n-tite style stopper. To start you will want to remove or loosen and swing the trap out of the way. To do so you will need a pair of channel lock pliers and use them to loosen the nut on the lower part of the basket. Once the nut is loosened we can remove it or let it fall down. Next loosen the rear nut of the trap a quarter turn or so or remove all the way. If removing the trap completely you will want to grab a small bucket to catch the water. With that nut loosened we can swing the trap out of the way.

With the trap removed or out of the way we can take our pliers and remove the nut that holds the basket to the sink. If the nut is rusted on you may have to use a hack saw or a cut off wheel and cut the nut on an angle and use a flat screw driver and twist it in the cut to pop the nut off.

With the nut and gaskets all removed we can now push the Sink basket up and out of the sink. Once we have the basket removed we can take a rag or paper towels and remove the old putty from the sink. Be careful as that part of the sink is very shape.

Next we can take the brass nut off the new sink basket and then remove the metal lower half and then paper ring and then the rubber gasket. Next we can open the plumbers putty and remove a decent amount and place it on the counter. Next well use our fingers to roll out a string or rope of it. The diameter should be a little less than a dime. Once we have it close to the desired diameter we can apply it to the new sink basket. Once we have it on the sink basket we can take our thumbs and press it up against the sink basket.

Once we have the plumbers putty on the sink basket we can now set the sink basket into the sink making sure it’s centered in the hole and well press it down to squeeze out some of the putty. With the top half of the sink basket in we can go back underneath and slide on the rubber gasket then the paper gasket and then the metal lower half of the sink basket. Once we have that slide on we can start the brass nut and tighten it down by hand. You will have to hold the threaded part as you turn the nut so you don’t spin the basket.

Once we have it hand tight we can take the channellock pliers and snug it down. Once we have that tight we can now reinstall the TRAP or swing it back into position. We are also going to install a new top hat gasket. With the trap back in position we can push the nut up and thread it onto the new basket. Next well take our pliers and tighten all the nuts just a little bit more. Do not over tighten them as they are just plastic.

Once we have all the trap nuts tightened we can come back up on top and remove the excess plumbers putty from around the sink basket. Once we have the extra putty removed we can turn on the water and check underneath for any leaks. Inspect where the basket meets the sink, around the brass nut and all the trap and extension nuts. Next we can put in the sink stopper and check that to make sure that works correctly.

So after you have tested the sink stopper to ensure that works properly that’s it we just showed you to replace a kitchen sink strainer / basket.

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4 comments

Hello! I just wanted to thank-you for your video about replacing the sink strainer. It was clear to follow, I stopped it at each step. But most importantly…. I had a successful outcome! For the $3.92 I spent buying the plumber’s putty… It was well worth the time and effort!

I can’t thank you enough for this video and instructions. My husband (52) has Early Onset Alzheimer’s so I’ve become the “handyman” around here. I always go straight to You Tube, which is where I initially found your video. God always uses folks like you to help me with these challenges. I’m grateful for you and your simple, straight forward, and easy to follow directions. I was also able to replace the the trap and pipe above it. God bless!

Great visual and audio instructions on Sink basket replacement. Do not know why it started leaking after 10+ years, but I just wanted to confirm I was following best practice on this replacement as I do not want to have to do it again! Thanks so much for your excellent and clear presentation!
Phil Brownell

Most of the time why they leak is the plumbers puddy dries out and it starts leaking or weeping by the basket. You may not notice that small leak and then it starts to rust the sink basket and then turns into a big enough leak to be seen. Chances are you will have to do it again. I have seen people use silicone instead of plumbers puddy. Some say that lasts longer I haven’t take one apart that has been siliconed so maybe it does last longer. Glad you found our website and video helpful and thanks for taking the time to leave us a comment. Good luck with the repair.